Dear lovely readers,

The story has been professionally edited and published. I've left the blurb and a teaser here.

Thank you for your support and I hope you like the edited and published book.

Do give me a positive rating at the online stores if you like the edited "Deepest Desires, Deadliest Hate".

Big hugs from very hot Sydney,

Enid

In 1815, three years after Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet married, a murder is committed at Pemberley. It tears friends and family apart and throws suspicions on many. Can our dear couple solve the crime and stay strong together? Be warned, this Pride and Prejudice variation contains exaggerated courtroom drama, mention of abortion and death of characters.

~P&P~

Before Jane could close the door, she made out the smooth cheeks- not of her one-year-old son, but of a grown man, whose pants were crumpled down around his boots. Two slippers with shoe-roses were curled around his back, as were two manicured hands, as the couple swayed to an invisible, mechanical rhythm.

Jane was incensed with the clandestine rendezvous. Who were these two disreputable and wanton animals? She thought she had glimpsed a red coat cast on the floor, but could not be sure, as the room was dark. And as for the young woman, Jane had no idea. Jane had only seen the woman's hands and feet. Had her own appearance been spotted? Jane's stomach turned at the thought, as she quickly descended the stairs to tell her sister. Elizabeth was holding court in the ballroom with Darcy, the Matlocks and Lady Catherine.

"Jane, please join us for a toast," Darcy announced when he saw her. "You remember the Matlock's, and my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh?"

Jane felt the eyes of the group on her hair that had come undone in her panicked escape down the stairs, her sweaty face, and the wine that had stained her gown. Darcy's face fell as he saw Jane's appearance, and Elizabeth's was one of pure puzzlement.

"Oh yes, it is so lovely to see all of you here, for this fine celebration. Elizabeth, may I borrow you for a moment, please?" Jane inquired, putting on her very most serene smile, but her fingers were in a vice-like grip on her sister's arm.

"My god, are you intoxicated?" Elizabeth giggled as they broke free from the group.

"I wish I were," she replied as her eyes teared up. "There is an awful scandal taking place in Pemberley in this exact moment. I wish I had never seen it."

"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth asked as the smile disappeared from her face.

"Upstairs. In one of the bedrooms. A lover's tryst. I cannot be sure who they are…" Jane trailed off leaving Elizabeth to imagine the worst.

~0~

Jane finally saw her husband, Charles, emerge from the salon. His face was pale and sweaty.

"Whatever is wrong?" Jane asked. She hoped he had not lost too badly, playing for too high stakes in whatever game of cards he might have been involved.

"It's Viscount Tansley-" the words came out as a struggle.

"Oh no," lamented Elizabeth, "Mother has gotten to him before we could save him," she laughed. The joke was lost on Charles, who looked alarmingly at Elizabeth and his wife.

"You are aware of what has happened then?" he asked, slowly. The smiles faded from both ladies' pretty faces as they registered the alarm in his eyes.

"Do we know what? What has happened?" Jane's mind flashed to the scandal she had witnessed earlier.

Charles paused for a moment as if gathering in his mind what he would like to say. "Viscount Tansley is dead. It is quite apparent that he was murdered. He has been bludgeoned about the head."

Jane felt nauseated immediately and could not believe the words coming from her husband's mouth.

"Whoever has committed this bloody act," Charles continued, "is likely to still be here. Darcy has sent for the magistrate. It is imperative that we keep all guests here until they arrive. Please act as calmly as you can, as we do not wish to alarm the staff or guests in the meantime. Go now together to check on our children, then come straight back to me. Elizabeth, I have sworn to your husband not to let you out of my sight after that."

The last thing that Elizabeth saw before she hit the floor was the look of horror on her sister's face.